No significant difference there between the two channels. So looks like lifting pin6 can't be avoided. Lift one at a time and listen for the static noise disappearing.
I lift up dac pin6 one by one and pproblem persisted.
I notice that the static noise only appear after a few minutes of power on.
I will try replacing some of the transistors involved in current source circuit
I notice that the static noise only appear after a few minutes of power on.
I will try replacing some of the transistors involved in current source circuit
Hi Richard. I plan to, finally, asemble my Kubelik DAC over the Christmas break - I've had a bit of practice soldering small SMD parts so I'm hopeful!
I will use the DAC in a 'workshop system' so it would be really useful to be able to stream music from my smartphone via Bluetooth - just wondering if you've tried a Bluetooth input using something like this;
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100...00019017010263!sea&curPageLogUid=MPeFZZ0CBNlE
I will use the DAC in a 'workshop system' so it would be really useful to be able to stream music from my smartphone via Bluetooth - just wondering if you've tried a Bluetooth input using something like this;
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100...00019017010263!sea&curPageLogUid=MPeFZZ0CBNlE
Hi Ray - no experience with that particular one, no. We have successfully used this one with a few of our DACs : https://www.aliexpress.us/item/1005...00026463523344!sea&curPageLogUid=VXWRtnmPo1Yb
Thanks Richard. I'll give the one I linked to a try, it's in my basket on Aliexpress for when I next place an order.
Let us know how it goes. Kubelik is low-maintenance as a DAC as it doesn't need an MCK from the source component.
Yes, that was part of my thinking.Let us know how it goes. Kubelik is low-maintenance as a DAC as it doesn't need an MCK from the source component.
I'll post results in due course.
Today I ordered the bluetooth i2s module from Ali Express.
In the meantime I started to put a 20V power supply together and can use a JLSounds USB board for an i2s source so hope to get a listen to my Kubelik in 2022.
In the meantime I started to put a 20V power supply together and can use a JLSounds USB board for an i2s source so hope to get a listen to my Kubelik in 2022.
Hooked it up to a power supply today, all the voltages checked out...
So I completed assembly of my Kubelik - just have to wait for the Bluetooth receiver to arrive now.

So I completed assembly of my Kubelik - just have to wait for the Bluetooth receiver to arrive now.

Are those readings with I2S playing into the DAC? The U8 opamp seems to be working fine (its + and - inputs are at the same voltage) but there is an offset at the output which seems larger than normal DAC operation would expect (between +7V and +13V at TP7). The offset could be from the current source transistors (Q17,Q19) not functioning correctly.
TP5 is showing a serious fault condition at 18.8V - its worth checking that R37 doesn't have any voltage drop across it. If it does, that would indicate a failure of the MOSFET Q14. U8 running hot is a significant concern - check its output current by measuring volts across R32 and R63.
When powered up, no voltage across R32, R63 and 37.TP5 is showing a serious fault condition at 18.8V - its worth checking that R37 doesn't have any voltage drop across it. If it does, that would indicate a failure of the MOSFET Q14. U8 running hot is a significant concern - check its output current by measuring volts across R32 and R63.
I noticed that the markings on R66 appears faded
R70 is for tweaking the DC offset, which is optional. You could measure voltage across R66 (or R70 which is in parallel) to check that the current source is behaving as expected. Also worth checking that R66 is still 120ohm.
Happy New Year to Richard and all users of Kubelik.
I am happy to report that the dac is working as expected now.
I replace R66 and this solves the overheating of U8.
I replace Q28 and the voltage at TP5 is within specs.
I measure all the TP voltage after these 2 changes. All measurements within spec.
Testing for about 1hr of usage, everything is good. No hum or distortion.
Thanks to Richard for first rate support!
I am happy to report that the dac is working as expected now.
I replace R66 and this solves the overheating of U8.
I replace Q28 and the voltage at TP5 is within specs.
I measure all the TP voltage after these 2 changes. All measurements within spec.
Testing for about 1hr of usage, everything is good. No hum or distortion.
Thanks to Richard for first rate support!
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